Lineup decisions are easily one of the most frustrating parts of playing fantasy football. Starting the wrong player on a Thursday night is even worse because you have to stare at your mistake for three days. With the Ravens playing on a short week, should fantasy managers start or sit Devonta Freeman?
Update 11/11/2021: Running back Latavius Murray is officially inactive for the Baltimore Ravens tonight in their matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Devonta Freeman has taken over the Ravens’ backfield
We first saw Freeman on the field for the Ravens in Week 2. He barely played. In fact, over his first three games, his highest single-game snap count was 10.
As injuries mounted and Le’Veon Bell continued to prove how completely washed he is, Freeman’s usage increased. Last week, Freeman played 58% of the snaps. Among Baltimore running backs this season, only Latavius Murray’s 62% snap share in Week 4 was higher.
Devonta Freeman has been producing RB2 numbers
In Week 9, Freeman carried the ball 13 times for 79 yards and found the end zone for the third straight week. Most encouragingly, Freeman’s been Baltimore’s primary passing-down back. Lamar Jackson has targeted Freeman 12 times the past four games.
Since Gus Edwards’ season-ending injury, five different Ravens running backs have seen the field. At various points, all five of them were on fantasy rosters. We’ve been chasing the Ravens’ lead RB all year. Now, the answer appears to be Freeman.
Freeman has a great fantasy matchup against the Dolphins
The Dolphins are an average defense in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs. What makes this matchup appealing is the expected game script.
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The Ravens are touchdown favorites in Miami. Although the Dolphins defend the pass far worse than the run, fantasy managers just need the Ravens to move the ball. As long as they can get in scoring position, Freeman has a chance to punch in a short touchdown. That is what we’re chasing here. It’s not as if Freeman is a threat to bust off a big run or rack up receptions like it’s 2016. We want the score.
Should fantasy managers start or sit Freeman?
Nothing has changed with the Ravens’ backfield since last week. Murray remains out with a sprained ankle, Bell consistently plays 20-23 snaps, and the team just does not trust Ty’Son Williams, who plays even less than Bell.
Freeman remains a touchdown-dependent RB3, but that may be worth starting this week. With so many running backs not producing as expected, and others out with injuries, Freeman becomes reliable almost by default.
If you are solid at running back and are deciding between Freeman and wide receivers, the receivers are probably the way to go. Freeman doesn’t offer much in the way of ceiling anymore.
If you just need an RB2 that will get you enough points to not handicap you this week, Freeman is your guy. Freeman should touch the ball 10-12 times and likely have an opportunity to score. That’s enough to make him a solid — if unspectacular — floor-based RB2 for fantasy teams in need of running backs.
